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Friday 23 November 2007

Things have been moving along pretty slowly this week for some reason, I think life got in the way...

My latest progress:

The front of the Premiere Pullover:I taught myself to cable without a cable needle the other day and it has revolutionsed this project for me. It's so much faster! I've got all of this done in the car on the way into and out of work this week.

My new project:Childs First Sock from Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy BushI'm using this yarn - Hand dyed by Yarn Addict Anni that I bought on Etsy. It's merino and the colors are really lovely.

I'm finding this pattern difficult. It takes all of my concentration so it's not a project for the car. I missed most of my tv programmes last night because I was concentrating so hard!

I must find an easier project for the tv, although if I do that, I'll probably never finish them!

Saturday 17 November 2007

Mam's Lacy Stole that was originally meant for her birthday in October has been completed in time for Christmas! I'm delighted I got it done. I didn't knit the full 72" called for as she is a small woman and I felt she would be lost in anything longer than this.

Wednesday 14 November 2007

I decided to try a dishcloth and liked the idea of trying Entrelac at the same time. I enjoyed knitting this as I had to think all the time which was next, a triangle or a square? It took me about 4 attempts to get it right, but once I got going it was a quick project. I got this done last Sunday in between the ironing and roasting a chicken for dinner.

In other news, I decided I had to do something about the HUGE stash that was all over the spare bedroom, so off I went to Home Store & More. It's exactly the same as Bed Bath and Beyond (or Blood Bath & Beyond as my hubby calls it). I don't know why they changed the name of the store when they opened over here, but I digress.

I went looking for stash storage and lots of it.

I came home with this:

A hanging shoe rack! I know, I know, you're mad I hear you say, but it hangs vertically therefore it is space saving and it has clear sides so I can see at a glance what I have in each "shoe shelf"! I think it's great. I got two of these but so far have only filled one. The overflow went into a pop up laundry bag as they are either big balls of yarn or in packets of 10 and I couldn't be bothered opening them up.

While there, I saw this and couldn't resist.

Isn't it lovely? Totally not me as it's very girly, but I saw it and thought what a nice project basket! So I snapped it up. I'm still on holiday spending spree mode as I haven't got my Visa bill yet. I think it will be here tomorrow. (I can hear the postman panting up the road drowning under the weight of it. He'll probably go off work sick with back pain afterwards.)

I'm dying to get my copy of Interweave Knits Winter. I subscribed a couple of months ago as the price was so cheap and after seeing what others have already done (Del) I'm chomping at the bit to get started.

So, another busy weekend! I've cast on for the front of the Premiere Pullover and am slogging away at the Lacy Stole for Mam as well.

Oh! I nearly forgot! I finished Dad's socks at the SnB last night too, so his Christmas knitting is all done! Yay me!

Saturday 10 November 2007

My monkey socks are finished!I am so proud of these socks for some inane reason - I think it's because they are the first socks with a pattern I have ever done and because they were my holiday knit - loads of nice memories every time I put them on.Anyhoo, here they are:

A close up of the detail:

Knit using Araucania Ranco Solid on 2.5mm Bamboo dpns.

A thoroughly enjoyable knit, and definitely one I will do again.

In other news, I was thinking about what to get brothers and sisters in law for Christmas, and I thought, why not knit some dishcloths/washcloths and wrap them up with a nice bar of soap?So, I found this pattern:Garterlac DishclothI am on my 4th attempt to get it right, so there is no guarantee that they will get one at all, but I am determined now to get it right! I am using some cotton yarn I got a while back that I previously have used for my Summertime Tunic as I believe that cotton is best.

Tuesday 6 November 2007

O.M.G. I have just spent about 2 hours putting all of the yarn I have bought on vacation into my Ravelry Stash. I had no idea I had bought so much!

Let me start by saying I had a great holiday. It was so much fun travelling to all of the yarn shops and squeezing all of the lovely offerings!Apologies for the pictures of Mickey Mouse's foot in the background of most of the pictures, it's the throw on my sofa bed.So, without further ado, let me begin.

Cascade 220:This is purely a stash indulgence, I've heard so much about how versatile this yarn is I just had to have some!

Dream In Color Smooshy:How gorgeous is this sock yarn? I hope I can do it justice!

Feza Kid Mohair:A total impulse purchase. I don't really know why I bought this, not being a fan of mohair. Suggestions of what to knit with it are welcome!

Jagger Spun Zephyr Silk/Wool:Simply gorgeous. The color is Coral, a gorgeous pinky peach shade. I have a pattern in mind for this, I just can't remember what right now.

Mountain Colors Bearfoot:The color is called Wildflower. More sock yarn goodies. I'm a bit of a sucker for a nice sock yarn and this one is really soft!

Koigu Premium Merino:I really wanted Painters Palette, but I couldn't get any, so this was a good second.

Prism Lace Wool:This yarn is gorgeous. So soft and fine. It's hand dyed in St. Petersburg apparently. The yardage is huge too. I think I'll probably get a couple of shawls from it.

Colinette Jitterbug:Another yarn I had lusted after. I have heard of splitting and pilling issues, but I still think it looks lovely. Amazing to think this is made in Wales, a country right beside Ireland but cannot readily be got here.

Then on to Jo-ann's on E. Colonial Drive and Michael's off I Drive, where I got these:

Lily Sugar n Cream:

I thought I might attempt some of the really cool washcloths I've seen.

Lion Brand Wool-Ease:

I thought I might try some color work with these. I saw a pair of fantastic gloves on Ravelry that had Hubble Bubble Toil and Trouble on the wristbands that look like they'd be fun to knit.

From there, on to the Interweb and Knit PicksI got a set of Options Nickel Interchangeable Circulars (which look fantastic) and...Knit Picks Palette:

Again, no idea what to do with these, but at $1.99 a ball, how could I refuse?

Knit Picks Gloss:

Cocoa and Pumpkin. Luscious names that I think might make a nice pair of socks.